Improvement in gate-hinges



w. HULL.

YGate-Hinges. N0. 1433764, Patented Oct. 21,1873.

` UNTTED STATES PATENT @Enron wEsLEY HULL, or EonT WAYNE, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GATE-HINGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 143,764, dated October21, 1873; application filed August 11, 1873.

. To all whom #may concern.'

parts in different figures, and which form a part of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front view of my improvedhinge when closed. Fig. 2 is an end view with gate open at right angles.Fig. 3 is a detachedv front view when open. Fig. 4 is a transversesection, showing the frame and conical rollers.

My invention relates to automatic or self-- closing gate-hinges; and itconsists in arranging on one plate or leaf of the hinge a horizontalframe bent at right angles in such a manner as to carry on its oppositesides twolconical-shaped friction-rollers, which engage with the tracksformed in the opposite sides of a spiral or 4auger-shaped pintle securedto the other leaf or hinge-plate,as will hereafter be more fullydescribed.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains tomake and use the same, I will now describeits construction andoperation.

In the accompanying drawings, G represents the gate, `A B, the hingesecured to the gate, as seen in Fig. 1. To that part of the hinge markedA is secured the spiral pintle S, near the 'lower end of said hinge, andextends above the top of it. This spiral pintle S, with the spiraltracks T T formed therein, passes betweentwo conical-shapedfriction-rollers, R R, which are secured to that part of the hingemarked B, as seen in Fig. l, resting near the lower end of said trackswhen the gate is closed, as seen in Fig. 1. When the gate is openedthese rollers R R are .caused to revolve on their axes and travel up thespiral pintleS in their tracks T T, thereby elevating the gate, as seenin Fig. 2, which, by its weight, as soon as left free, causes therollers to return upon `the saine track, thereby closing the gate. Bythis arrangement the friction istransferred from the track to the shaftof the rollers It R, thus allowing the gate to be opened more easily andclose with more force. These spiral tracks or inclined planes can bemade of a greater or less elevation or spiral turn, so as to act withmore or less power upon the gate. Upon opposite sides and near theopposite edges of the spiral pintle S these tracks or grooves T T areformed, and across their base run par. llel with the shafts and rollersIt It, and are provided with elevations on the inside of each formed .inthe spiral pintle S to keep the rollers in their tracks T T, as seen inFig. 3. The top ends of these tracks are bent over sufficiently toprevent the hinge from being separated, as shown in the drawings. Theserollers are secured to that part of thehinge marked B bymeans of thefraine F. This frame F can be formed of round iron, bent at right angleswith that portion that 'forms the shafts for the rollerslt R, therebyconnecting the two shafts and retaining the rollers in place. The otherend, which forms the shafts, is secured to that part of the hinge markedB, as shown in Fig. 4 in transverse section, in which is shown thespiral pintle S cut at right angles, thus showing the curves and anglesin said pintle which forni the tracks T T, as shown upon opposite sidesand oppo! site ends of the shaftsl and frame F, the central portion ofthe pintle running in an angle with the base of the tracks T T andshafts, on which the rollers R lt are pivoted in their proper position,secured by the shafts entering the part of the hinge marked B, as shownin Fig. 4. These elevations on the inside of the tracks not onlyT act tokeep the rollers in place, but the rollers also act on them to keep theedge of the tracks from pressing against the hinge and frame F. Theupper hinge H H is so constructed as to allow the lower hinge to actfreely.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is A The hinge-plate or leaf B, provided withthe horizontal frame F or its equivalent, bent at right angles, andcarrying on its opposite sides the two conical-shaped friction-rollersmy own I affix my signature in presence of R R, in combination with thespiral or auger two Witnesses. pintle S and spiral tracks T T of thehinge- YVESLEY HULL. plate or leaf` A, all constructed, arranged, andoperating substantially in the manner and for Vitnesses: the purpose setforth and described. E. OROURKE7 In testilnonjT that I claim theforegoing as J. B. DUBOIS.

